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QB Kyler Murray is the favourite to go first overall to the Arizona Cardinals

There are few occasions in sport like the NFL Draft; the hope, the projection, the sense of what could be. On early Friday morning, 32 players will hear their names called in Nashville, Tennessee, by commissioner Roger Goodell in the first round of seven, the crème de la crème of college football prospects. Who will go where? No one knows, but with some educated guesses and a couple of hunches here are my predictions for how round one will unfold, including the now customary appearance from Sussex and England cricketer Tymal Mills, an Oakland Raiders fan who steps into the shoes of general manager Mike Mayock for the 24th and 27th picks of the first round.

Kyler Murray (QB) – Arizona Cardinals

Despite drafting Josh Rosen in the first round last year, Arizona are in the market for a new QB due to the fact that they’re under new stewardship in the form of former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury. While coaching in college, Kingsbury went on record saying that he “would draft Murray number one” if he was an NFL head coach. Well, now he is, and wouldn’t you know it, Murray has visited Arizona for a private workout with the team. Josh Rosen hasn’t featured at all in any 2019 season Cardinals propaganda so it seems fairly clear cut that he’s not long for the desert, with the diminutive yet dynamic Murray set to take over from week one.

Nick Bosa (EDGE) – San Francisco 49ers

This pick is a trade possibility should the 49ers wish to accumulate more picks later in the draft, however with no elite QB prospects left on the board it seems fairly unlikely a team would trade up all the way to #2 to select one. Bosa, younger brother of Chargers star Joey, is an elite edge prospect who is the consensus best player in the 2019 draft, regardless of position. San Fran are in need of some juice on the edge and it makes too much sense for them not to select the guy who could lead their defensive line for years to come.

Josh Allen (EDGE) – New York Jets

Another pick that makes almost too much sense, with New York in dire need of pass rush help and Allen the 1B to Bosa’s 1A in this class. Quinnen Williams is another consideration here, but ultimately edge rushers are far more valuable than defensive tackles so Kentucky alum Allen is the choice here for Gang Green.

Rashan Gary (EDGE) – Oakland Raiders

Following the Khalil Mack trade from last year, and Jon Gruden amusingly lamenting his lack of pass rush thereafter, Oakland lands the first “surprise” pick of the 2019 draft with edge rusher Rashan Gary, a product of Michigan. Gary projects well but he’s just that – an unpolished project who notched just 9.5 sacks while at college. Gruden doesn’t bother himself with production, however, and favours potential as evidenced by his drafting of Kolton Miller in the first round a year ago. While Gruden appears to be enamoured with Kyler Murray, in this scenario the QB is off the board and the former Buccaneers coach has shown a propensity for favouring veteran signal callers throughout his career, ruling out the likes of Dwayne Haskins.

Quinnen Williams (DT) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The way this mock falls, Tampa Bay would be thrilled to land Williams, an elite prospect who could conceivably go as high as two overall based on his sheer talent level. The main reason he could drop this far is because he plays a non-premium position, at least compared to edge rusher and quarterback. Williams attended college at Alabama so his pedigree is unquestionable, and in 2018 he earned unanimous All-American honours after posting 10 sacks (eight in 2017). Explosive off the line, Williams has the potential to immediately make an impact for a Tampa Bay team who have struggled on both lines for a number of years now.

Devin White (LB) – New York Giants

Will the Giants finally draft a quarterback to replace the aging, and increasingly ineffective, Eli Manning? Probably not at number six, especially if you give credence to GM David Gettleman’s recent comments about the position. Gettleman was adamant he wouldn’t go QB in the 2018 draft, which would seem to suggest you can take him at his word and expect him to address another position of need – which at this stage could be any area of the defence. With the very top tier of defensive lineman all off the board Gettleman could pivot and pick up White, a physical, playmaking linebacker who could make the same type of impact Darius Leonard did for the Indianapolis Colts after being drafted last year. Why White over fellow LB Devin Bush? White has the size advantage and made more plays (tackles for loss, forced fumbles) during his last season in college, in a tougher conference (SEC versus the Big Ten).

Jawaan Taylor (OT) – Jacksonville Jaguars

With Nick Foles now under centre the Jaguars can focus on building an offense around him. Jacksonville has some talent at the skill positions, so although tight end T.J Hockenson could be in play Taylor could be the pick here to protect Foles and pave the way for the Jags rushing attack. Taylor projects better at tackle than fellow prospect Jonah Williams, thanks to his longer arms and greater size. The tape isn’t quite as good as Williams’, however Taylor’s status as a better run blocker should give him the edge in Jacksonville’s ground and pound system.

Montez Sweat (EDGE) – Detroit Lions

Matt Patricia adds another impact pass rusher in this scenario, after bolstering his defensive line in free agency with the addition of former Patriot Trey Flowers. Sweat had a scare when a heart condition was detected prior to the combine, however that isn’t expected to be serious and as a result it would be an upset if he made it outside of the top ten. Sweat totalled 22 sacks in his final two college seasons, enormous production that is almost as enticing as his impressive measurables, including a 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash.

Devin Bush (LB) – Buffalo Bills

Bills coach Sean McDermott gets his Luke Kuechly clone in the form of Michigan linebacker Bush, who some evaluators rank on a par with fellow linebacker White. Bush has slightly less bulk than White, however he flies to the ball and shows tremendous football instincts, understandable given his father won a Superbowl with the St. Louis Rams after the 1999 season. McDermott is keen to continue building a stout defence in a similar mould to the unit he ran in Carolina as defensive coordinator, although it also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Buffalo add an offensive weapon to aid the development of second year QB Josh Allen. However, outside of tight end T.J Hockenson the offensive skill positions are devoid of top ten talent in the class of 2019.

Jonah Williams (OT/OG) – Denver Broncos

Denver needs help on the offensive line, particularly inside, and Alabama product Williams fits the bill perfectly. A college tackle, Williams had outstanding production and ticks all the boxes, with the exception of less than ideal size and short arms, a big no-no for NFL offensive tackles. Luckily for Williams, his exceptional skill levels should enable him to seamlessly transition inside for a Broncos team that is lacking quality at centre and both guard spots, helping to protect new quarterback Joe Flacco, who John Elway clearly believes can help Denver win now.

Brian Burns (EDGE) – Cincinnati Bengals

After finally moving on from Marvin Lewis following another disappointing season, Cincinnati, along with Denver before them, are one of the more likely teams to select a quarterback in the first half of the first round. However, edge rusher is a bigger immediate need and with Florida State’s Burns sitting here it’d be incredibly difficult to pass on an elite talent at a premium position. Burns notched 10 sacks in his final season at college, and his explosiveness immediately stands out, making him a top ten talent – even if he goes at 11 in this particular mock.

J Hockenson (TE) – Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers gets a new toy and Green Bay bolsters the tight end position after the failed Jimmy Graham experiment in 2018, adding the top all around tight end in college football. Hockenson not only totalled 760 receiving yards last year (at 15.5 yards per catch), but also features well above average blocking ability for a tight end. Hockenson can break tackles and his history as a basketball player at high school make him a dangerous threat and a possible replacement in the NFL for the recently retired Rob Gronkowski. That’s the kind of upside whoever drafts him will be getting.

Ed Oliver (DT) – Miami Dolphins

Miami would be absolutely thrilled in this scenario if Oliver falls to #13, as they’d pick up on of arguably the top five prospects in the entire draft. Oliver’s problem is he’s very scheme dependant as a fairly small defensive tackle, ruling out every team that plays a 3-4 in addition to teams who prefer elite size from their linemen. At just over six feet tall and weighing 281 lbs, Oliver was still able to earn All-American honours in each of his three college seasons, and new Dolphins coach Brian Flores would delight at the ability to add a stud player without having to move up in the draft should Oliver fall this far.

Christian Wilkins (DT) – Atlanta Falcons

The mini run on defensive tackles continues with Clemson star Wilkins, who was a major factor in the school winning two of the past three National Championships. Slightly older (he’ll turn 24 during the 2019 season), Wilkins is a three time All-American who should prove plenty disruptive as a penetrative pass rusher within a 4-3 base, making him the perfect fit for Dan Quinn’s Falcons who tend not to blitz and require the front four to provide the pass rush on its own. This is one of those rare cases where talent matches need – Atlanta, like Miami before them, would be thrilled to land Wilkins without having to manoeuvre themselves into a higher pick.

Dwayne Haskins (QB) – Washington Redskins

Although there are plenty of teams who, in theory, need a quarterback, there aren’t many who are convinced they need to take one in the first round of the draft this year. While some of that is down to the fact that there are no truly elite prospects in this class, teams such as Denver and New York seem happy to roll with veterans for the upcoming season while waiting for more star-studded signal callers to graduate in 2020 and 2021. Washington aren’t quite as well off due to the injury to Alex Smith, and although they brought Case Keenum in to hold the fort they surely know he isn’t anyone’s idea of a long-term answer under centre. Haskins has impressed teams with his intelligence and he has the natural arm talent to make it in the NFL, although as a one-year starter in college he’s a slightly unrefined diamond. That shouldn’t be an issue for the Redskins, who aren’t in win-now mode and can afford for Haskins to learn on the bench for a year.

Andre Dillard (OT) – Carolina Panthers

Carolina needs offensive line help in the worst way, with Cam Newton continuing to play banged up after taking a pounding behind below average o-line play. Dillard is the top remaining tackle on the board at this point and deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as the other top prospects at his position. A better pass protector than run blocker at Washington State, Dillard has the build to play either tackle spot in the big league and fills an immediate need for the Panthers, who continue to lean towards a pass heavy offense with receiving back Christian McCaffrey more suited to catching passes than running between the tackles.

Cody Ford (OT/OG) – New York Giants

After addressing the defence earlier in the round, New York picks up a much needed recruit for the offensive line in the form of Ford, a product of Oklahoma who is versatile enough to play tackle or guard, as he did in college. Ford is a huge 329 lbs and would be an asset both protecting Eli Manning and opening holes for stud running back Saquon Barkley. With this selection Gettleman once again ignores the quarterback position, although with Haskins off the board it’s probably for the best as there is a severe drop off at the position once the top two are gone.

Clelin Ferrell (EDGE) – Minnesota Vikings

Things fall poorly for Minnesota in this mock, with the o-line needy Vikings cruelly denied the chance to pick either Dillard or Ford. Consequently, they’d have to choose between dipping into the second tier of linemen or turn their attention towards a defence which regressed in 2018, which they may well do with a talent such as Ferrell still available. Ferrell would be the second Clemson d-lineman picked after Christian Wilkins, and can quench head coach Mike Zimmer’s thirst for a pass rusher to take the heat off an aging secondary. Ferrell notched 11.5 sacks in 2018, forced three fumbles and earned All-American honours. It speaks volumes for the depth of pass rushers in this class that he’d still be available at 18 in this mock, but Minnesota would be the last ones to complain.

Dexter Lawrence (DT) – Tennessee Titans

Back to back Clemson Tigers! Lawrence is the third, and least heralded, defensive lineman from the National Champions who could hear his name called on Thursday night, and he’d fit well for a Titans team who are led by a defensive minded coach in Mike Vrabel, who knows from his time as a Patriot that a stout, run stuffing presence in the middle of the D can help free up the rest of the front seven to make plays. Lawrence didn’t post the gaudy numbers of Wilkins or Ferrell at college but that wasn’t his role – as a 342 lb nose tackle he does more damage than meets the eye by occupying blockers and clogging up rushing lanes.

Byron Murphy (CB) – Pittsburgh Steelers

The general consensus as the top cornerback on the board, Murphy could step in and play from day one for a Steelers team that has an immediate need in the secondary. Murphy does everything well, from playing the ball to tackling, and enters the draft as the most pro ready prospect at the position. Pittsburgh could also look to add Iowa tight end Noah Fant here, but cornerback is a more premium position and if Murphy is available at #20 it would be hard for the Steelers to pass.

Rock Ya-Sin (CB) – Seattle Seahawks

Ya-Sin is a fascinating prospect, originally an FCS prospect who transferred to Temple for his senior season and immediately impressed draft evaluators with his toughness and ball skills, similar attributes to former Seahawks star Richard Sherman. Similarly to Sherman, Ya-Sin projects best in a zone system, which Seattle plays, and the corner didn’t allow a reception over 20 yards in his singular season with the Owls. While Ya-Sin may not be your traditional prospect, he offers plenty of upside and is good value for a team picking in the second half of round one.

Josh Jacobs (RB) – Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens historically run-orientated offense needs a running mate, and Jacobs fits the bill as undoubtedly the best RB prospect in the class. Although he didn’t start until his junior season, that was more to do with the enormous amount of talent at Alabama as opposed to Jacobs own shortcomings. Jacobs possesses the talent to make a difference as a ball carrier, pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield, and there’s no team in the NFL who needs a bell-cow running back more than Baltimore. Added bonus: Jacobs only had 252 carries during his college career, which should help him endure longer in the pros.

Garrett Bradbury (C) – Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson needs better protection. Bradbury is the best offensive lineman remaining in this mock, and the best centre in the draft, bar none. It’s an easy pick for Houston to make as they look to protect the face of their franchise, who was hit more than any other QB in the NFL last season. Centre may not be a glamorous position but with the top tackles off the board Texans fans won’t be disappointed to see the line addressed with the team’s first round pick.

Noah Fant (TE) – Oakland Raiders *Pick made by Tymal Mills*

The Raiders are back on the clock for the second of three picks in the first round, and after going defence at #4 Jon Gruden turns his attention to the offense. With all wide receivers still available the silver and black would be taking a long, hard look at prospects such as NFL combine superstar D.K Metcalf or speedster Marquise Brown from Oklahoma to compliment Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams. With this selection however they go a slightly different path, snapping up Iowa tight end Fant. Fant would immediately replace Jared Cook, who led Oakland in receiving yards last season, and provide Derek Carr with a big target across the middle of the field and help to open up the rushing attack.

Marquise Brown (WR) – Philadelphia Eagles

Ideally, Philly would like to add a pass rusher to compliment Brandon Graham before eventually replacing him, but in this scenario all of the top defensive linemen are off the board while the wide receiver position is yet to be tapped into. As a result, Howie Roseman could choose to give Carson Wentz another weapon to work with. Although Desean Jackson was added via trade he’s up there in age (32) and Nelson Agholor is due to hit free agency at the end of next season. Brown is a speedster who mirrors Jackson when he first entered the league, with questions about his durability but no doubting his talent and, most importantly, his speed.

Greedy Williams (CB) – Indianapolis Colts

Indy could go cornerback or receiver in this spot, but corner is a more pressing need and it was highlighted in the harshest possible way when Kansas City shredded the Colts D through the air in the playoffs to the tune of 31 points. Williams is considered an elite prospect as far as man coverage in concerned, although he lacks physicality and may struggle in the run game at the NFL level. Nonetheless, Williams is certainly a first round talent and makes an already improved defence that much better heading into the 2019 campaign.

D.K Metcalf (WR) – Oakland Raiders *Pick made by Tymal Mills*

Gruden passed on the physical specimen at #24 in favour of filling a bigger need but he won’t be able to resist twice. Metcalf blew up the combine when he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, dropped 27 reps on the bench, before leaping 40.5” on the vertical and 11ft 2” in the broad jump, all whilst checking in at 6’3 and 228 lbs. His agility drills at the combine weren’t nearly as impressive but the Raiders can scheme to Metcalf’s strengths with Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams in the fold. Back on the clock at #35, Oakland can address other needs, including guard and cornerback, on day two. Combined with Rashan Gary and Noah Fant, Metcalf represents a nice haul for the silver and black.

Drew Lock (QB) – Los Angeles Chargers

Lock would land in an ideal situation should he get the call from Los Angeles on draft night, able to sit behind future hall of famer Phillip Rivers while he learns his craft. Although Lock enjoyed a fruitful college career, including 99 touchdown passes, he also threw 39 interceptions and fumbled eight times in 2018. Lock has a high ceiling but he’s a very raw prospect – should a team snag him earlier than the Chargers and expect him to start on day one they might wish they hadn’t. However, if this is how the dominoes fall then Lock could one day reach his potential.

Erik McCoy (C/OG) – Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City)

Seattle has had a need on their offensive line seemingly since the beginning of time, and McCoy helps scratch that itch with their second of two first round picks, this one acquired from Kansas City in the Frank Clark trade. McCoy started for three years at Texas A & M, playing in a tough conference against elite opposition week in, week out. McCoy and Rock Ya-Sin would be a nice haul for the Seahawks at two positions of need, with McCoy in particular helping to protect their investment in superstar QB Russell Wilson.

Greg Little (OT) – Green Bay Packers

Similarly to how Seattle must protect Russell Wilson better, Green Bay needs to keep Aaron Rodgers upright if they’re to rebound after a difficult campaign a year ago. Little may not be in the same class as the other tackles taken ahead of him, but he’s a tempting prospect who was second team All-American in 2018. Although he has his warts, offensive tackle is arguably the second most important position on the field and if Little can come even close to reaching his ceiling this will have been a great pick.

Jerry Tillery (DT) – Los Angeles Rams

It’s been a while since the Rams have had a first round pick following the bounty they paid to move into position to select Jared Goff in 2016, and this selection comes just at the right time with Ndamukong Suh having departed for pastures new following their Superbowl loss to New England. Tillery racked up eight sacks for Notre Dame in 2018, and although his dedication to football has occasionally been questioned he possesses very impressive athletic attributes, including a long wing span which helped him block two kicks last season. This is exactly the type of high upside play late in the first round which could pay long term dividends for LA, and Tillery would find himself in the perfect spot next to the almost always double teamed Aaron Donald.

Chris Lindstrom (OG) – New England Patriots

Boston College product Lindstrom gets to stay in the greater Boston area after being selected by the hometown Patriots, who are more than likely used to picking 32nd following their unprecedented run of success since the turn of the century. Lindtrom is a solid if unspectacular prospect, who has four years of starting experience under his belt, albeit in the inferior ACC conference. A second team All-American in 2018, Lindstrom will, among other things, help to account for the loss of Trent Brown in free agency.

It’s time to move my NFL season preview onto the AFC, starting with the eastern division and the dynasty that is the New England Patriots. New England once again made the Superbowl last season and, even though they came up short, they figure to be in the conversation for league supremacy again this time around. The other three teams include two first round rookie quarterbacks, with Sam Darnold and Josh Allen leading the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, respectively, into week one. Who will come out on top in 2018? Keep reading to find out.

New England might actually be as weak across the 53 man roster as they have been for a decade, after the loss of top tackle Nate Solder, leading receiver Brandin Cooks and star cornerback Malcolm Butler. However, due to the rebuilding state of the rest of the division, and the ongoing presence of a certain Tom Brady, it’d be foolish to predict anything but another Patriots AFC East crown. Without Cooks, running back Dion Lewis and the suspended Julian Edelman, Brady will have to be at his absolute best to take New England deep into the playoffs. At the age of 41, it’s up for debate whether he’s capable of that. Nonetheless, Brady was superb as a 40-year-old, and you quite simply don’t pick against Tom Terrific and his mentor, Bill Belichick.

You get the impression that things are coming to a head in Miami, both for head coach Adam Gase and QB1 Ryan Tannehill. After one playoff appearance in nine years the Dolphins are in desperate need of some fresh impetus, especially after the departure of leading receiver Jarvis Landry and mammoth defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. Two 6-10 seasons out of three doesn’t inspire much cause for optimism, and the only reason I’m predicting a second place finish is the youth and inexperience on show in Buffalo and New York. Speaking of which..

The time is now for Sam Darnold, fresh from USC, to lead the Jets into what appears to be a bright future under head coach Todd Bowles. However, the present could feature more than a few growing pains and 2018 should very much be a developmental campaign. Isaiah Crowell might be one of the more under appreciated running backs in the league, but him aside Darnold will have little help on offence and the defensive unit remains one of the more average, at best, in the AFC.

Tyrod Taylor led Buffalo to its first playoff berth for 19 years and subsequently was shipped off to Cleveland, off all places. In his stead Josh Allen will be tasked with extending the Bills streak of post-season appearances to two, but he’ll have to do so with a porous offensive line and an ageing LeSean McCoy lining up next to him in the backfield. The man known as “Shady” should see plenty of carries, as per usual, but it could be a long season in upstate New York while the rocket armed Allen finds his feet.

Who do you think will come out on top in the AFC East? Leave a comment or tweet @fredjstanley

Chicago QB Mitchell Trubisky will be hoping for a big leap in year two of his NFL career

We’ve reached the conclusion of my NFC season preview with the northern division, and it promises to be as competitive as any in the entire league thanks to strength up top and plenty of intrigue at the bottom. Aaron Rodgers returns for a full season as the premier quarterback in the conference for Green Bay, while Minnesota welcome former Washington QB Kirk Cousins into the fold. Mitchell Trubisky will be hoping to take big strides in his second professional season for Chicago. Detroit shouldn’t be slept on, either, after they won nine games a year ago and finished second in the division. Another day, another powerhouse NFC division. Who’ll come out on top? Keep reading to find out.

When Aaron Rodgers is on the field, Green Bay are legitimate Superbowl contenders. When he’s not? Well, we saw what happened last year when the Packers finished below .500 and didn’t make the post-season for the first time since 2008. There were positives from what was mostly a lost season, notably Davante Adams emerging as a top-level receiver, but ultimately a 7-9 record saw general manager Ted Thompson ousted and Brian Gutekunst hired in his place. Gutekunst was proactive in free agency, a departure from the usual order of business in Green Bay, bringing in tight end Jimmy Graham to give Rodgers a big bodied target on the outside to replace Jordy Nelson. The Packers also selected cornerbacks with their first two picks in May’s draft, the first steps towards overhauling a defensive unit that has lagged behind the offence for almost the entirety of Rodgers tenure under centre.

Three quarterbacks out, Kirk Cousins in. Will Minnesota see a noticeable upgrade? Probably. But it’s easy to forget just how good Case Keenum looked in 2017 until the clock struck midnight in the NFC Championship game, and Sam Bradford was excellent in his solitary week one start (27/32, 346 yards, 3 TD’s). Jerick McKinnon’s loss could be felt in the passing game, although the return of fellow running back Dalvin Cook from torn knee ligaments should aid Cousins and the Vikings offence. The defence remains arguably the top unit in the league, and it would be surprising if Minnesota didn’t run Green Bay incredibly close for the division crown. As is usually the case, two head to head meetings between the pair in weeks two and 12 could make all the difference.

Detroit appear to be one of the NFL’s “limbo” teams – never bad enough to secure a high draft choice, yet rarely winning enough games for a high playoff seed or even a post-season appearance. Over the past five years they’ve won 7,11,7,9 and 9 games, making the playoffs twice and losing in the wild card round on both occasions. In many ways this is emblematic of quarterback Matthew Stafford and his ability relative to the rest of the league. No one would deny Stafford isn’t a very good QB, but while he certainly gives the Lions a chance to win most weeks he isn’t in the rarified air of the elite signal callers (think Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers) around the NFL. To help support Stafford Detroit signed veteran RB LeGarrette Blount and picked fellow runner Kerryon Johnson from Auburn in the second round of the draft. If they can help take some of the heat off of Stafford then maybe, just maybe, this could be the year Detroit breaks through and makes some noise in January.

John Fox is out in Chicago and Matt Nagy is in, but the change of coach is unlikely to alter the fortunes of the Bears enough to see a first post-season appearance since 2010. The main storyline of the summer was the addition of a new number one receiver in former Jaguar Allen Robinson, while Trey Burton was brought in from Philadelphia to play tight end. This follows the model used by the Eagles a year ago, when they surrounded second year QB Carson Wentz with a plethora of skilled playmakers to aid his development. Chicago will be banking on similar improvement from their own sophomore quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but it’s wishful thinking to expect the Bears to replicate the Superbowl victory and near MVP season that Wentz and Philly enjoyed a year ago.

Who do you think will emerge as the winners in the competitive NFC North? Have your say in the comments or tweet @fredjstanley.

Arizona RB David Johnson is one of the best dual threat weapons in the NFL

Hot on the heels of my NFC East and NFC South previews, it’s time to head out west to see how the L.A Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks fared this off-season. While the NFC South is arguably the best division in the NFL, the NFC West isn’t far behind with three of the four teams set at QB and the other, Arizona, possessing a plethora of talent across the field. Where do I think they’ll finish? Just scroll down to find out.

Young supremo Sean McVay took the league by storm last year, reigniting a previously stagnant offence and getting the most out of former number one overall pick Jared Goff at QB. Todd Gurley broke through as perhaps the best running back in the NFC, while the defence also grew under veteran coordinator Wade Phillips. The off-season was an adventurous one in L.A, with the Rams trading for New England speedster Brandin Cooks in addition to former Chief and shutdown corner Marcus Peters. Fellow cornerback Aqib Talib was also added via trade, while superstar defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was signed during free agency. Those moves should give opposing offences fits, in particular, although L.A notably lost players such as receiver Sammy Watkins, pass rusher Robert Quinn and linebacker Alec Ogletree. Unless injury strikes the Rams should be able to secure a post-season spot, although they may struggle to gain a first round bye due to the strength of their division.

Much like the Rams, it’s been all change for Seattle as they’ve waved goodbye to a number of members from their all-time great 2013 defence. Gone are safety Kam Chancellor (fellow safety Earl Thomas is in the midst of a contract dispute and wants a trade), cornerback Richard Sherman and pass rushers Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the Seahawks. They’ve made some subtle improvements to their offensive line, and Russell Wilson remains a top five QB in the NFL. Pete Carroll has shown an ability to rebuild teams on the fly in college,and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Seattle compete for a wild card spot late into the season, especially with their formidable home support.

The niners are one of the trendy picks for a post-season appearance in 2018, with a full year of Jimmy Garoppolo on tap and offensive whiz Kyle Shanahan at the helm. While San Fran should win more games than 2017 (6-10 final record), they still have a few holes on the roster and it’s unclear if Jerick McKinnon will prove to be an upgrade at running back over the departed Carlos Hyde. The defensive line is led by former high draft picks Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, ensuring that particular unit is the strength of a D that also added former Seahawk and 49ers tormentor Richard Sherman on the outside. 10 wins is very much a possibility for the 49ers – whether or not that will be enough to finish in a playoff position is very much in doubt, but the future is certainly bright in Southern Cal.

Arizona nabbed their quarterback of the future in May’s draft in the form of UCLA product Josh Rosen, but it’s likely that Rosen will sit behind Sam Bradford until the coaching staff decides he’s ready (or Bradford gets injured). Former Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was hired to replace the retired Bruce Arians, so it’ll be a learning curve both on the field and off it for the pillars of what the Cardinals hope is a successful future. 2018 might see some growing pains, but a long-term plan is at least in place for a franchise that is excited to welcome running back David Johnson, who missed almost all of last season with a fractured wrist, back into the fold. One other player to keep an eye on is legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who needs 390 receiving yards to move past Terrell Owens into second place on the all-time list.

Who do you think will prevail in the NFC West? Leave a comment or tweet @fredjstanley. Stay tuned for further NFL previews as the season approaches.

Alvin Kamara made his mark as a rookie with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage

Part two of my NFL season preview features the NFC South, arguably the toughest division in the whole league, featuring two of the previous three NFC representatives in the Superbowl. Former league MVP’s Cam Newton and Matt Ryan lead the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, while the timeless Drew Brees is back for another year at the helm of the New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay are no slouches, either, although they’ll be without QB Jameis Winston for the first quarter of the season as he serves a four game suspension. Keep reading to find out who each team has added, lost and where I think they’ll finish.

New Orleans were one, agonising blown coverage away from progressing to the NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia, and although they weren’t able to accomplish that goal in 2017 they return the core of an ascending young team for the 2018 season. Alvin Kamara pairs with Mark Ingram (suspended to begin the year) to form arguably the best 1-2 running back punch in football, while Michael Thomas might be the most underrated WR in the game. The defence came on leaps and bounds last year and after surprisingly trading up in the draft to select pass rusher Marcus Davenport, should be ready to take the leap into the league’s elite this campaign. Of course, you can’t mention New Orleans without mentioning future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. All the time number nine is under centre in the Big Easy, the Saints will have an excellent chance of doing damage deep into January.

2017 wasn’t a vintage year for Carolina; nonetheless they still progressed to the playoffs as a Wild Card team and with former MVP Cam Newton returning under centre the Panthers will hope to repeat the trick this season. With Panthers legend Jonathan Stewart moving on via free agency the backfield is now Christian McCaffrey’s to own. Receiver D.J Moore was added in May’s draft to give Newton another downfield weapon, while the defence will, as ever, rely on stud linebacker Luke Kuechly to stay fit and anchor the middle of an otherwise league-average unit. Carolina has a few holes in their roster, more than the Saints, but they remain one of the more efficiently run teams in the NFL and head coach Ron Rivera has gained the respect of his peers across the league.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Notable Additions: Calvin Ridley (WR)

Notable Losses: Adrian Clayborn (DE)

A relatively quiet off-season for Atlanta may not be an altogether bad thing, particularly compared to last summer where all involved were made to recount their Superbowl collapse over and over. If the Falcons are to return to the big game they’ll need Matt Ryan and Julio Jones to have bounce-back campaigns, while the addition of rookie wideout Calvin Ridley surely won’t hurt. Defensively Atlanta remain built on speed and have an underrated unit, but there’s something missing for a team that many feel may have caught lightning in a bottle during their memorable 2016 run. Nonetheless, there’s enough talent here to give any team fits on Sundays, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

In many other divisions, you could easily predict the Bucs to finish second or even first. However, the strength of the NFC South, and the impending four game suspension for QB Jameis Winston, mean they could be consigned to the basement for the second consecutive year. Even when Winston plays he hasn’t shown the growth many would expect from a former first overall pick, as he threw just 19 touchdowns in 2017 compared to 11 interceptions. One thing Tampa Bay should be given credit for is improving their defensive line depth with the free agent signing of Vinny Curry, a trade for former Giant Jason Pierre-Paul and first round draft choice Vita Vea. It’s entirely possible the Buccaneers win eight or more games – however that’s unlikely to be enough in this stacked division.

Who do you think will win the NFC South? Have your say in the comments or by tweeting @fredjstanley.

Eli Manning will be hoping for a bounceback season in 2018, aided by second overall pick Saquon Barkley

Welcome to the first instalment of my 2018 NFL season preview series, featuring the NFC’s vaunted Eastern division. The NFC East, of course, provided last season’s Superbowl champions in the Philadelphia Eagles, but there’s intrigue elsewhere in the Dez Bryant-less Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants rookie running back sensation Saquon Barkley and the Alex Smith led Washington Redskins. Keep reading to find out what to expect from each team, ranked by my projected final standings.

Go ahead and call me biased, but it would take a brave man to pick against the reigning Superbowl champions in a division featuring a number of rebuilding clubs. Philly returns Carson Wentz from a torn ACL, with Superbowl MVP Nick Foles ready to go in case the Eagles play it safe with their star QB once the season is underway. Philadelphia remains strong on both the offensive and defensive lines, where the majority of games are won and lost, and managed to avoid any serious departures over the off-season. Michael Bennett was added from Seattle, although it remains to be seen how much the former stud pass rusher has left in the tank. Perhaps the biggest challenge for Doug Pederson’s squad will be dealing with heightened expectations following February’s breakthrough victory in Minnesota.

Saquon Barkley is an elite running back talent. The merits of drafting a running back so high (second overall) have been much discussed, but regardless of the value of the pick New York, and Eli Manning, have to be excited to have added such an explosive offensive weapon. Couple Barkley’s addition with the return of star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from injury and the Giants should boast a more potent offense than they were able to in 2017. Nate Solder was paid big bucks to bolt New England for New Jersey, and while he should provide a boost for the offensive line it’s also worth noting that Big Blue have lost two starters, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg, from the unit. Will Hernandez was drafted to create holes for Barkley, making New York’s intentions clear for the upcoming season as they attempt to take some responsibility off of the clearly declining Eli Manning’s shoulders. Jason Pierre-Paul will be missed on defense – the pass rush was already a weakness for the Giants – and how that unit performs will go a long way to determining whether New York finish above or below .500.

The big question heading into the 2018 season for Washington is whether or not Alex Smith represents an upgrade at quarterback over the departed Kirk Cousins. Cousins spent the last couple of seasons playing under the franchise tag and it had become increasingly clear that the team hierarchy had little faith in his ability to lead the team deep into the playoffs over the long-term, despite Cousins consistently delivering 4,000 yard campaigns and showing incremental improvement from year to year. Smith has developed a reputation as a somewhat cautious QB, and the loss of second round draft pick Derrius Guice to a torn ACL figures to harm Smith and the Washington offense. Elsewhere on the roster, the Redskins lost arguably their best CB Kendall Fuller in the Smith trade, while the defensive line should be improved with the addition of top draft choice Da-Ron Payne. Paul Richardson is a wide receiver who never quite fulfilled his potential in Seattle, so head honcho Jay Gruden will be hoping he can get the most out of the talented pass catcher, a direct replacement for the disappointing Terrell Pryor Sr.

Dallas turned the page on storied careers from franchise stalwarts Dez Bryant (released) and Jason Witten (retired) this off-season, bringing third year tandem Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot into focus as the dual-faces of the Cowboys. Both regressed slightly in their second year as pros, and it’ll be interesting to see how the offense functions without any recognised talent at the tight end or wide receiver positions. Defensively, DeMarcus Lawrence was retained and he’ll be counted on to provide the pass rush for a unit that is still overly reliant on the playmaking ability of oft-injured linebacker Sean Lee. Dallas returns one of the better offensive lines in the game, although it hasn’t performed quite as well over the past two seasons as it did earlier in the decade. Still, expect holes to open up for Zeke in a ground-heavy offense that’ll focus on chewing clock and keeping the ball out of Prescott’s hands where possible.

Who do you think will win the NFC East this season? Have your say in the comments, or tweet @fredjstanley with your take.

Which team will select UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen in the 2018 NFL Draft?

Welcome to the pinnacle of the NFL off-season, the NFL Draft. Running from April 26-28, each of the league’s 32 teams will choose from the cream of the collegiate crop as they endeavour to build for a brighter future. The 2018 edition sees perennial NFL bottom dwellers the Cleveland Browns select both first and fourth overall, while the New York Giants hold the second overall pick following a dismal 3-13 season. Read on to find out who I think will make the cut in the first round, including one (projected) blockbuster trade. I’m also joined by England cricketer and Oakland Raiders fan Tymal Mills, who breaks down what the Raiders should do with the tenth overall selection.

Note: The picks made are from the perspective of what I think each team should do, not what I would do personally

1. Sam Darnold (QB) – Cleveland Browns

Although many believe Saquon Barkley to be the best player in the draft, selecting a non-QB at #1 would be a huge risk for a Browns franchise that hasn’t had an above-average NFL quarterback since they re-formed in 1999. With a plethora of picks, not least the #4 selection in this draft, other needs can be addressed later on while Cleveland adds their franchise QB in the shape of USC star Darnold. Darnold has outstanding athleticism, a big arm and scouts rave about his makeup and football IQ, which should limit his bust potential and makes him a far surer bet than the rocket armed Josh Allen. Turnovers were an issue for Darnold in college but after sitting behind Tyrod Taylor for at least a season Hue Jackson and the Browns staff should be able to coach those out of him.

2. Saquon Barkley (RB) – New York Giants

Barkley is widely considered to be the best running back prospect for a generation, and while I personally think #2 is too high to select a player at a non-premium position the Giants seem set on giving Eli Manning enough weapons for one more run at a championship. All of the QB’s in this class have question marks while Barkley’s combination of size, speed, vision and hands make him the quintessential can’t miss prospect. If Barkley can do for New York what Ezekiel Elliot did for the Cowboys (minus the off-field drama), they’ll be thrilled with this pick.

3. Baker Mayfield (QB) – New York Jets

It’s fairly widely believed that the Jets love Mayfield, and the brash Oklahoma product would certainly be an interesting fit in the Big Apple. Mayfield lacks prototypical height at just 6’1″, but he was historically productive in the spread offence at college and displayed elite accuracy, poise and an ability to execute broken plays. Johnny Manziel and Russell Wilson are the two comps mostly thrown Mayfield’s way – I actually tend to lean towards placing him in the middle of that spectrum as a player who will ultimately compete at the NFL level but fail to live up to the billing of a top three draft pick due to his not-quite Wilson level athleticism and a slightly questionable attitude.

4. Bradley Chubb (EDGE) – Cleveland Browns

The Browns have two options at four if the draft plays out as it does in this mock; trade down with a team desperate to acquire a QB, or pick the best defensive player on the board to bookend with last year’s number one pick Myles Garrett. Chubb has the potential to be an elite pass rusher at the next level, with outstanding size and speed, plus he possesses the ability to set the edge in the run game. If Barkley is still on the board at this point Cleveland would have a tough decision to make, but with him gone in this mock there’s really only one option as the Browns continue to add blue chip talent to their young roster.

Mock trade! I’m not convinced the Broncos are particularly interested in drafting a QB this year after signing Case Keenum in free agency, and there’s enough defensive talent on the board to help them even after sliding back to #12 in a trade with Buffalo. The Bills have made their intentions perfectly clear by moving Tyrod Taylor and trading up to 12, so here I have them completing the process by trading both of their ones (numbers 12 and 22) plus, say, a four to Denver for the right to select the rocket armed Allen. Coach Sean McDermott was in Carolina for a number of years with Cam Newton and he saw first hand what a strong armed, mobile QB can do to opposition defenses, so in this scenario he’s willing to overlook Allen’s accuracy issues to make him the main man in Buffalo.

6. Quenton Nelson (G) – Indianapolis Colts

After trading down from #3 a few weeks ago, Indy pick up the best offensive lineman in the draft and give Andrew Luck, ropey shoulder and all, some much needed protection as he makes his much anticipated return from injury. The Colts have holes all over the roster but after picking up three second round picks from the Jets they’ll be able to address those both this year and next as they attempt to bulk up on talent after a couple of miserly years. New head coach Frank Reich is a former QB who appreciates the value of a strong offensive line, and Nelson is the complete package at guard and someone who the Colts should be able to plug in and play for at least the next six or seven years.

7. Minkah Fitzpatrick (S/CB) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay were one of the big disappointments in the NFL in 2017 and they’ve got a fantastic opportunity to put things right if the draft board falls this way. With three of the top six picks going on quarterbacks the Bucs can select from a crop of very talented defensive backs, a clear area of weakness, with Fitzpatrick a Malcolm Jenkins clone by virtue of the fact he can play safety or slot cornerback. Fitzpatrick’s big game experience, having played for Alabama in college, also makes him one of the more pro ready prospects in a stacked top ten.

8. Mike McGlinchey (OT) – Chicago Bears

The Bears spring one of the first surprises in my mock with this pick as they opt to shore up the offensive line with the first tackle off the board, as opposed to selecting one of the many elite defensive prospects still available. McGlinchey is a good, if not quite elite, tackle prospect but Chicago would be wise here to consider the development of second year QB Mitch Trubisky by shoring up his protection and allowing him to flourish in a way not dissimilar to Carson Wentz in Philadelphia last season. You may recall that Philly made the offensive side of the ball a priority last off-season, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Chicago followed the same blueprint during the draft.

9. Roquan Smith (LB) – San Francisco 49ers

San Fran are in a bit of a pinch at the linebacker position after the arrest of Reuben Foster for domestic violence last month. Fortunately for them in this mock they have their pick of the linebacker crop, with Smith largely regarded as the standout player in the class thanks to his incredible sideline to sideline range. That should play perfectly in the 49ers defense and ease their concerns about the ongoing Foster situation.

10. Denzel Ward (CB) – Oakland Raiders

*Pick made by Sussex and England cricketer Tymal Mills*

If this is the way the board fell on draft night the Raiders would be delighted. With various holes across the defense they would have the choice of five or six players who could contribute immediately. New coach Jon Gruden has already said he’d like an interior presence to take some heat off stud pass rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, however #10 would likely be too early to select either Maurice Hurst or Vita Vea. Meanwhile, cornerback remains a position of desperate need with Gareon Conley (who missed all but one game in 2017) and Reshaan Melvin (who signed a one year deal in free agency) slated to start on the outside. With that in mind, the Raiders opt to pull the trigger on Ward, the best cover corner in the draft, pairing him with Conley for the foreseeable future.

11. Josh Rosen (QB) – Miami Dolphins

At 11, Rosen is just too good to pass up for Miami, who I believe to be in two minds about whether to move on from Ryan Tannehill or not. Having jettisoned Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi over the past twelve months you’d think Miami were in rebuilding mode, however Adam Gase is under a little bit of pressure to demonstrate the team is progressing and acquiring a new QB may give him a bit more rope with the Dolphins hierarchy. Personally, I like Rosen the most of all the quarterback prospects in this draft, but his alternative and allegedly “challenging” personality doesn’t seem to rub well with a lot of front office personnel. In some ways, Rosen is a lot like Jay Cutler, who isn’t universally popular but possesses and outrageous amount of talent, and seeing as Gase had no problem in signing Cutler last summer it figures he’d also be prepared to recruit Rosen to South Beach.

Denver are a difficult team to peg for this draft, but as I see them trading down I think they go the route of trying to restock their depleted defense in an effort to return the unit to the elite level it was at as recently as 2016. Davenport is unanimously considered the second best edge rusher in the class behind Chubb, and with a premium placed on players who can rush the quarterback it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him edge into the top half of this class.

13. Derwin James (S) – Washington Redskins

In this scenario the Redskins would be delighted, with James falling beyond his talent level to the thirteenth pick in the draft. James has fast closed on Fitzpatrick in terms of being the top ranked safety in the 2018 draft, so while the latter is long gone in this mock Washington would be more than happy to pick up a versatile safety who should shore up what has been a problem spot for them in recent seasons, especially with the bizarre retirement (or non-retirement, as it turned out) of Su’a Cravens shortly before the 2017 season began.

14. Tremaine Edmunds (LB) – Green Bay Packers

The Packers addressed the offensive skill positions by adding tight end Jimmy Graham in free agency, which frees them up to add Edmunds, a high quality linebacker who fills a position of need in the immediate term, as well as long-term with stud LB Clay Matthews beginning to slow down. Green Bay are also in a position here where trading down could make sense if a quarterback needy team wants to jump ahead of Arizona to select Lamar Jackson.

15. Courtland Sutton (WR) – Arizona Cardinals

I don’t, however, have the Cardinals selecting Jackson as they have a multitude of other needs and few picks outside of their first round selection. It’s pretty rare that no receivers are off the board by pick 15, and this year it appears that there’s little to choose between the top three of Sutton, Calvin Ridley and D.J Moore. Sutton has impressed during the pre-draft process however, and Arizona has a need outside with little on offer other than the ageing Larry Fitzgerald.

16. Calvin Ridley (WR) – Baltimore Ravens

Ridley, meanwhile, endured a below par combine and has fallen slightly from a borderline top ten prospect to a player who’s ceiling is in the middle of round one. Ridley is an accomplished route runner and with Baltimore having released Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin since the end of the 2017 season he fills a need, giving Joe Flacco the number one receiver he’s lacked for more than a few years.

17. Vita Vea (DT) – Los Angeles Chargers

Like a lot of the teams towards the end of round one, the generally more successful teams, Los Angeles could go a number of ways with this pick due to their relatively hole-free roster. A developmental QB is in play with Phillip Rivers ageing, but the 2004 first round pick shows no signs of age yet and the Chargers will be keen to give him as good an opportunity as possible to win a ring before he retires. Vea would be the first interior defensive lineman off the board in this scenario, and he would immediately help L.A in the run game, taking some of the heat off star pass rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa.

18. Joshua Jackson (CB) – Seattle Seahawks

This is one of the picks that many analysts have predicted, due to both the scheme and positional fit. At 6’3″, Jackson is the type of long-limbed corner Seattle loves, which makes him an attractive option with Richard Sherman now plying his trade for division rivals San Francisco. The Legion of Boom may be on its last legs, but the selection of Jackson could herald a new era of stellar secondary play in the Northwest.

19. D.J Moore (WR) – Dallas Cowboys

With Dez Bryant no longer playing in Big D, it would be extremely tempting for Jerry Jones to dip his toes into the WR market at #19 and select his replacement. Moore is slightly more raw than the aforementioned Calvin Ridley, but he possesses enough upside to warrant a top 20 pick. Dak Prescott is in desperate need of help in the passing game with Jason Witten nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, something that played up even more when Ezekiel Elliot missed time with suspension in 2017.

20. Da’Ron Payne (DT) – Detroit Lions

Another DT off the board at #20, with Detroit taking the third Alabama product of the first round (keep reading for number four shortly). The Lions had the 21st ranked rushing defence (by yards per carry) in 2017, and Payne should help shore up that element of the team while potentially providing a dynamic pass rush from an interior position.

21. James Daniels (C) – Cincinnati Bengals

Cincy are pretty well stocked at the offensive skill positions with A.J Green and a stable of running backs on the roster, but the offensive line hasn’t been up to scratch in recent seasons and Daniels would represent an upgrade at centre. Daniels is the number one centre in this class, although it was a close call between him and Billy Price before Price tore a pectoral muscle during the pre-draft process. If the Bengals decide to go defense here keep an eye on Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans.

Having picked up EDGE rusher Davenport at #12, Denver adds a second defensive talent with their second (theoretical) pick acquired from Buffalo. With Aqib Talib now in L.A with the Rams, Mike Hughes would fill a need and add a ball-hawking element to the Broncos secondary (four INTs in 2017 for UCF, where he gained All-ACC honours). One knock on Hughes is his lack of height at just 5’10”, which is the primary reason for him falling below fellow corner Joshua Jackson in this mock.

23. Harold Landry (DE) – New England Patriots

New England is desperate for pass rush help, and hometown hero Landry would aid the cause in short order. This pick arrived at the Patriot’s door thanks to their trade of Brandin Cooks to the L.A Rams last month, giving Bill Belichick the luxury of two selections in the final third of the first round. It’s possible they look to trade up and they just might be in play for Tom Brady’s eventual replacement under centre – more on that later.

24. Billy Price (C/G) – Carolina Panthers

As previously mentioned, Price tore his pectoral muscle at the NFL scouting combine and as a result has seen his draft stock fall slightly. Price has excellent versatility and can fill in at either guard position or centre, which should play well in Carolina where they’ve lost Andrew Norwell to retirement since the end of the season. A developing trend here would indicate that interior offensive lineman are in reasonably high supply this year, while offensive tackles are slightly thin on the ground. This won’t concern the Panthers, who could also be in the market for a safety, linebacker or pass rusher at this spot.

25. Rashaan Evans (LB) – Tennessee Titans

Guess what? Another member of the Crimson Tide! Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans joins teammates Minkah Fitzpatrick, Calvin Ridley and Da’Ron Payne in hearing his name called in round one, as new Titans head coach, and former NFL linebacker, Mike Vrabel makes his first pick in Tennessee. Evans should help fortify a questionable linebacker core for the Titans, although Tennessee could also be in the market for offensive line help to aid the cause of quarterback Marcus Mariota.

26. Jaire Alexander (CB) – Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta grab Louiseville corner Alexander in this mock, a player who may actually be better suited to playing inside as opposed to on the outside due to his quick twitch nature and lack of height (another 5’10” corner in this class). Alexander has missed a substantial amount of time through injury during his college career, so he’ll have to quell those doubts if he wants to excel at the next level.

27. Lamar Jackson (QB) – New Orleans Saints

Jackson finally sees his “slide” fall on draft night as he’s selected by Saints offensive guru and head coach Sean Payton, although in reality Jackson could be picked anywhere from the Dolphins selection at #11 or the end of the first round – perhaps even later. Jackson is a real boom or bust prospect, a QB with elite mobility, good arm and.. plenty of question marks. With great play-making ability comes the potential to be erratic, and Jackson will almost certainly need time to iron out these issues before he sees significant game time. That said, Deshaun Watson had similar question marks surrounding his name before the draft last year, and Jackson could excel in the right environment – such as the one he’ll find himself in with New Orleans.

28. Leighton Vander Esch (LB) – Pittsburgh Steelers

Boise State linebacker Vander Esch has the ability to continue to great Steelers linebacker tradition, having tested extremely well at the combine and filled the stat sheet up during his one full year as a starter in college. Vander Esch is one of the true “bolters” of this class, having risen all the way from a mid round prospect to a player who could quite possibly crack the top 20 if everything falls right. He also fills a clear need in Pittsburgh with Ryan Shazier unfortunately looking unlikely to suit up again.

29. Mike Gesicki (TE) – Jacksonville Jaguars

Our first tight end goes off the board with the Jaguars opting to give Blake Bortles an additional weapon in the passing game. With the rushing attack now well established, Gesicki would serve as a big bodied, slot receiver-type player who has outstanding speed for his 6’5″ frame, reminiscent of Patriots star Rob Gronkowski. If Penn State product Gesicki can come close to replicating the Gronk, whichever team selects him will be overjoyed.

30. Isaiah Wynn (G) – Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings had very few holes in 2017, but the offensive line may just have been one of them as they progressed all the way to the NFC Championship game. Having landed prize free agent QB Kirk Cousins, the next order of business for Minnesota is to protect their new leader, in addition to clearing the way for last year’s second round pick Dalvin Cook. Wynn actually played tackle in 2017, but projects as a guard in the NFL, a position he played during the 2016 season for his alma mater Georgia.

31. Mason Rudolph (QB) – New England Patriots

Tom Brady is 40. Jimmy G is in San Francisco. New England has already added an impact player on defense with the 23rd pick. There’s too many reasons for the Pats to select a QB to ignore, and Mason Rudolph fits the Belichick bill as a classic pocket passer with average to slightly below arm strength. The New England offense runs off play action and timing routes on the short to intermediate level, which matches up well with the former Oklahoma State gunslinger. Six quarterbacks in the first round? It could well happen.

32. Maurice Hurst (DT) – Philadelphia Eagles

Last, but not least, is Michigan Wolverine Hurst, a penetrating defensive tackle who enjoyed a productive college career but unfortunately saw his combine end prematurely when a scan showed up heart irregularities. Hurst was originally pegged to go in the middle of the first round, and despite being medically cleared since his heart scare it’s all but certain teams will be wary of spending too high a pick on a prospect who has so recently received such worrying news. Philadelphia find themselves in the luxurious position of having few holes to immediately address, with running back, safety and the offensive line also in play. However I’ve got GM Howie Roseman selecting a defensive lineman to conclude round one, as he has so often done during his tenure as Philly’s head honcho.

What do you think will happen draft night? Make your predictions in the comments or by tweeting @fredjstanley